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The Outsider

Perhaps you enjoy the crowd, noisy bleacher seats, and the occasional stepping into something gooey… something tells me it’s the mustard from your corndog that has now ruined your new kicks. While a seat among the crowd can have it’s perks and excitement it can also be distracting as all get out. I for one appreciate watching the big game from a leather recliner on a big screen. Sure, there might be a 2-3 second delay from real time but who cares? I get to see it all! I see the players faces up close, I can see the line of scrimmage right down the middle every single play… something no one, not even the coaches get to see. I’m completely in tune with what is going on, but I am an outsider.

We get caught up in the game of youth ministry. We are overwhelmed with whether or not students are coming back, parents are on our back about why we are eating pizza yet again, and still we are frustrated why others just can’t see how much we have going on. We are stuck in a loop of the same people, doing the same thing, week after week after week. You know the saying, “If you keep doing the same thing expect the same results.” So, are you tired of the same results in your youth ministry? Let me present to you one person that could help you greatly, the outsider.

Every youth pastor should have that one guy or girl that is looking into your ministry from the outside. This person could be from your church and not involved in your particular ministry but it would be even more beneficial to find someone outside your church.

The outsider should be someone…

You look up to.

You can trust.

You can be candid with.

Who isn’t hesitant to tell you that you’re wrong.

Who has time to meet with you.

Who can objectively observe, critique and give practical next steps.

I have a few outsiders in my life. I appreciate the time, encouragement and candid conversations we have. This morning I’m actually mapping out my staff and volunteer organizational chart per one of my outsiders request, it will be a conversation piece for the next time we talk.